SPARTANBURG, S.C.?The Presbyterian College volleyball team ended the first day of the Provisional Invitational with a perfect 2-0 record. PC downed North Florida and North Carolina Central to advance to the semifinal round tomorrow at 1 p.m.
In the first match of the day the Blue Hose defeated North Florida 3-0 (25-23, 25-23, 25-21). After taking the first set 25-23, PC started the second set strong and took a 13-8 lead behind the serving of Carolyn Fabros (Huntley, Ill./Huntley). The Blue Hose continued to serve well with Lisa Shelley (Columbia, S.C./Blythewood) recording two service aces to extend the lead 20-14. North Florida rallied and closed the gap to within two points at 21-19, but PC regained control and ended the set on a kill by Shelley.
Both teams traded points to start set three before a kill by Amanda Kettles (Canton, Ga./Cherokee) gave PC a 13-12 lead. The Blue Hose took a 21-16 advantage before North Florida fought back to 23-21. After siding out, a service ace by Ashley Dunlap (Greenville, S.C./Greenville) won the set and match 25-21.
Against North Florida, Shelley's 14 kills, 10 digs and three service aces led PC, while Kettles chipped in 13 kills and a .571 hitting percentage. Rachel Lewis recorded 31 assists.
In the second match of the day against North Carolina Central, the Blue Hose emerged victorious after a five set battle, 15-25, 25-21, 25-21, 12-25, 15-10. With both teams even at one set each PC entered the third set and took a 15-10 advantage. Stretching their lead to 21-14, the Blue Hose pushed to set point on a block by Shelley and Kelsey McKee (Greenville, S.C./Eastside). A NCCU hitting error gave PC the 25-21 set three win.
The Blue Hose never lead in the fourth set and were held to a negative hitting percentage as North Carolina Central rolled to a 25-12 win. PC responded in the fifth and deciding set by jumping out to a 5-1 lead on a block by Lewis and Justine Lanchester (Downs, Ill./Tri-Valley). The Blue Hose then extended the advantage to 8-5 after a kill from Kettles. North Carolina Central mounted a rally to bring the score to within one point as they trailed 11-10, but PC closed out the match with help from a Kettles' service ace and a Shelley kill.
Shelley and Kettles again paced the Blue Hose with 16 and 13 kills respectively against North Carolina Central, and Dunlap collected 17 digs to led the PC defense that tallied 61 total digs.
PC now holds a 12-20 record on the season, with a chance to earn two more wins tomorrow in the final day of the Provisional Invitational. The Blue Hose will play at 1 p.m. in the semifinals, with another match to follow depending on their finish. The Provisional Invitational features five other teams in the transition to Division I, and is the last tournament of the season for PC.
